Step #1

Chromosomes carry our genetic information in the form of long strips of DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic Acid), or genes. DNA molecules are in the shape of a double
helix. Two bases run from each helix to connect with the other. There are four bases
in DNA, adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine, or A, C, T, G respectively. A and T
always pair with each other, and C and T always pair with each other. Sequences of
the bases such as, A-T-T-G-A-C-T-G-A-A-C-T-A-C-C, constitutes an individual gene.
Random changes in the sequence will result in a mutation.
Genes are our bodies blueprint for the production of protein that
determines how cell of our cells will function, and genes also determine our physical
characteristics. Genes are housed chromosomes, located in the nucleus of our cells
and in the mitochondrion in our cells, which has its own genome, a complete set of
some 30,000 to 40,000 genes.
The mitochondrion is responsible for generating most of the energy used by
the cell. Because there are no mitochondria in sperm, the mitochondrial genome is
passed down from the mother. Since is the hypervariable region of the genome is
much smaller than that found in the Y chromosome, it can be scanned for
mutational events easier.
In humans, there are 22 numbered pairs of chromosomes and a single pair of
sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes are unmatched, XY, are found in males,
and the matched pair of XX is found in females. Because the Y chromosome does
not have a pair, most of the chromosome remains unshuffled.
Each parent passes one chromosome to make a pair for their children. Each
half of the genes passed down from parent to child represents a shuffled
combination of DNA passed down their parents ancestors. Some parts of the genes
passes down from parent to child remain unshuffled, making it much easier for
anthropological geneticists to study lines of descent. The unshuffled segments of
genetic code will only vary through occasional mutations, or markers. Since
mutations occur in an otherwise continuous string of genetic replication, the
mutation serves as a signpost for tracing human evolution. Geneticists follow
markers in order to identify the most recent common ancestor of everyone alive
who carries that given marker.
Mutations are just change in genetic code; the term mutation does not refer
to bad. There are beneficial genetic mutations, and natural selection favors those
types of mutations, while limiting the bad ones. Changes in genetic code occur
randomly in a population, the smaller the population, the bigger genetic changes
effect it. The cumulative effect of natural section produces populations that are
better adaptive to succeed in their environment.

Three parts of The Genographic Project website that are most helpful for
students in review of genetic science for Anthropology 2301 would be the
interactive timeline under the Atlas of Human Journey tab, the Journey
Highlights button on the bottom right of the page when the Atlas of Human
Journey tab is selected, and all the information on the Genetics Overview tab.
The timeline helps understand the history of mankind, which is helpful to
understand in anthropology, the Journey highlights gives you really neat detailed
information about events in the evolution of mankind, and the genetic overview
gives you the biological prospective that you need for this course.
Step 2
The Human Genome Project (HGP) website is funded by the U.S. department
of Energys Human Genome Program and the Office of Biological and Environmental
Research. Five kinds of information found on the website include ethical, legal, and
social issues regarding the availability of genetic information, all kinds of
information about the HGP itself, such as goals, history, and benefits, information on
Medicine and the new genetics, basic genetics, and entire archive of HGP research.
This information is helpful to teachers, students, and people whose career is in the
genetics and the biosciences field. Some achievements of HGP are: The initiation of
the Human Genome Project as a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy and
the National Institutes of Health in 1990, the completion of a working draft of the
entire human genome in June 2000, the analyses of the working draft were
published in February 2001, and the HGP completing sequencing and Project was
declared finished two years ahead of schedule (April 2003). Whats next for the HGP
is a$100 M public-private effort to create the next generation map of the human
genome, known as the HAP MAP, and to begin to explore life at the level of the
whole organism instead of individual components such as single genes or proteins.
By 2020 we can expect more effective pharmaceuticals, with a vest repertoire of
potential new drugs from 500 or so to 2000, our medical records will include our
complete genome as well as a catalogue of single base pair variations that can be
used to accurately predict our responses to certain drugs. Our medical information
could be available to others not in the medical profession, resulting in employers
and insurers not wanting to hire or cover us if we are prone to developing certain
conditions. Gene therapy for single-gene diseases will be routine and successful in
20 years.
Step 3
Fish-odor syndrome is a rare condition which causes individuals to emit an odor
similar to rotting fish. Those suffering from fish-odor syndrome often experience
painful social ridicule and isolation because of their offensive body odor. The
ridicule can be so bad that depression and suicide are not uncommon in people who
suffer from this disorder. This syndrome is found in chromosome #1.

Barth syndrome is a rare, sex-linked genetic disorder of lipid metabolism that

affects males. Typically, boys with Barth syndrome have low muscle tone, labored
breathing, poor appetite, and/or slow weight gain, at or within the first few months
after birth. There is no cure, and few experts on treating Barth Syndrome.
Physicians may be able to alleviate and control symptoms by administering drugs,
altering diet, or performing surgery. This disorder is found in the X chromosome.
You cannot find more information about these genetic disorders at the HGP
website; however you can visit the disorder guide, a portal that direct users to
medical information produced and maintained by third-party sources.